NBGay! Former Pro Hoopster Comes Out

The AFP describes John Amaechi as an "ex-NBA star," which may be an exaggeration. Regardless, the former professional basketball player is set to announce he's gay -- becoming one of only a few male athletes (at least in the major American sports) -- to come out of the lockerroom closet.

John Amaechi, the former NBA player and England basketball international, is to publish a book next week in which he will reveal he is gay.

The autobiography, entitled Man in the Middle, will detail his six seasons in the world's leading basketball league and its release is being eagerly awaited in the United States.

ESPN, publishers of the book have lined up a television documentary featuring the 6ft 10in former centre and a revelatory magazine article prior to the release of the book in the United States on February 20.

Amaechi, 36, becomes the first male basketball player to come out as gay and only a handful of high-profile men in other team sports have done so.

He was born in Boston but raised in England -- and has a British accent. You can watch a clip of him on his Web site. I'm guessing he didn't go to many gay clubs when he was in the States. It would be pretty hard to hide a 6-foot-10 black guy with a British accent.

I'm sorry, all I can think about right now is an episode of "Will & Grace" where Jack was into outing television characters. Will tells him: "C-3PO wasn't gay, he was British."

On a serious note, congratulations to Mr. Amaechi for coming out and chipping away at yet another stereotype. Welcome to the neighborhood!